OPPONENTS of expansion plans at Biggin Hill Airport have branded a government decision to allow a massive hangar in the green belt as a "travesty of justice".

The Government overruled Bromley Council, and its own planning inspector, to grant the airport planning permission for an aircraft hangar between the control tower and the RAF Biggin Hill conservation area.

Residents' concerns include the destruction of green belt grassland, environmental pollution and the visual impact on the RAF barracks.

Hugh Bunce, spokesman for Flightpath, the alliance of residents' groups opposed to further airport development, says the council must challenge the decision in the courts.

He said: "This decision is a travesty of justice. It makes a mockery of the inspector's public inquiry and raises major doubts over the Government's claims of support for green belt land."

The hangar would have a floorspace of 70,000sq.ft and be more than 40ft high to accommodate Boeing business jets and other aircraft.

The initial tenant would be Jet Aviation, a Swiss-based company providing fixed-based operator services, maintenance and avionics support.

Planning permission for a 50-bedroom hotel on the site north of the terminal has already been granted.

The Government's planning inspector backed the council's decision to refuse planning permission for the hangar at last summer's public inquiry but he was overruled by MPs John Prescott and Alistair Darling.

They found the hangar's size was not excessive, the proposal would help the airport's longer-term financial security and there were no other suitable sites at the airport.

But Peter Osborne, of Bromley Residents' Federation, said: "The hangar will be so huge you'll be able to get a full-size football pitch inside."

The Government's planning inspector had stated the appeal site was not proved to be the only possible location for the hangar.

Councillor Tony Wilkinson, chairman of the development control committee, said: "We are bitterly disappointed the Government ignored residents' wishes and allowed a significant encroachment on our precious green belt."

Airport chairman Andrew Walters said: "The airport looks forward to building this hangar which will create still more jobs for local people and provide a little more certainty to the entire airport community."

January 28, 2003 09:30